MASSENA – Surrounded by the love of her husband, children, grandchildren, and brothers, Barbara Ann Cunningham, age 74, peacefully passed away on Tuesday afternoon, May 8, 2018 in the comfort of her home.

Barbara was born August 4, 1943 in Massena, the daughter of the late Lyle M. and Hazel M. (Tarbell) Rush. She first attended a one room school house in Massena Center before going to Holy Family School and graduating from Massena High School in 1961. On March 7, 1964, she married Edward Dennis Cunningham at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

While her husband was in the military, she worked for at time at a hospital in Syracuse. After moving to Massena, she worked for a short time as a receptionist at Seacomm Federal Credit Union. Barb was a dedicated mother and grandmother assisting in the care of her grandchildren and caring for her home. She was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she taught Religious Education for many years, volunteered on the Bereavement Committee and assisted at Bingo at both St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s. She also volunteered at Trinity Catholic and St. Joseph’s School and was an Election Inspector for St. Lawrence County. She cherished the time she was able to spend with family, especially the adventures with her grandchildren as the “Road Rage Nana” and going to the horse races at the Malone Fair. She was a true homemaker, providing for her family by canning vegetables and baking, and will be fondly remembered for her homemade bread, meatloaf, and cinnamon rolls. Barb would often be found enjoying her favorite pastime, playing BINGO or playing her favorite card game, Kanasta.

Barb is survived by her loving husband, Edward; her children, Patricia Cunningham of Massena; Susan and Robert Gale of Vernon; Theresa and Jason Camberis of Arlington Heights, Illinois; Michael and Sherry Cunningham of Massena; and Robert and Melanie Cunningham of Massena; her 17 grandchildren, Dustin Barton (Callan), Braydon Cunningham (Nicole), Jensen Estes, Britney Gale (Josh), Truman Gale (Jocelyn), Markus Gale (Morgan), Rebecca Turok (Alex), Abigail, Arielle, and Elisabeth Turok, Delilah and Sarah Cunningham, Jessica Salas (Taylor), Robert Cunningham (Kayla), Amber Cunningham (Austyn), O’Dourghty Cunningham, Eric Stowell (Christine); and four great grandchildren, Whitten “Whit Whit” Lauren, Easton, and Wyatt.

Barb was also survived by her sisters, Kay Kirkey of Massena; Shirley and Gene Eppelheimer of Illinois; Lori and Chris Perry of Massena; her brothers, Charles and Fran Rush of Baldwinsville and Dale and Cathy Rush of Massena; her sister-in-law, Ann Rush of Cornwall; her brother-in-law, Richard Weegar of Massena; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Barb was predeceased by a daughter, Betty Lou in infancy; a sister, Ellen Weegar in 2009 and her brother, Joseph Rush in 2016.

Friends may call Friday 5-7:00 PM at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Massena, with Rev. Tojo Chacko, celebrating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Massena.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Hope Lodge in Burlington or Roswell Park Cancer Center.

Barb’s family wishes to extend a sincere gratitude of thanks to Theresa Gardner, Rita Saumier, and the Staff of the Outreach Department at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

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